Boston and Maine 3713

Boston and Maine No. 3713, also known as the "Constitution", is a class "P-4a" 4-6-2 heavy "Pacific" type steam locomotive built by the Lima Locomotive Works for the Boston and Maine Railroad in December 1934. This locomotive is currently being restored to operating condition at the Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton, Pennsylvania as a part of their operating fleet for use on excursion trains. It is the focus of Project3713, a partnership between the National Park Service and the Lackawanna & Wyoming Valley Railway Historical Society.

Boston and Maine No. 3713
Boston and Maine 3713 at Steamtown
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
BuilderLima Locomotive Works
Serial number7625
Build dateDecember 1934
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • Whyte4-6-2
 • UIC2′C1′ n2
Gauge4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Driver dia.80 in (2,032.0 mm)
Wheelbase77 ft 7 in (23.6 m)
Adhesive weight209,500 lb (95,027.6 kilograms; 95.0 tonnes)
Loco weight339,200 lb (153,858.5 kg; 153.9 t)
Tender weight240,800 lb (109,225.0 kg; 109.2 t)
Total weight580,000 lb (263,083.6 kg; 263.1 t)
Fuel typeCoal
Fuel capacity37,000 lb (16,782.9 kg; 16.8 t)
Water cap12,000 US gallons (45,000 l; 10,000 imp gal)
Firebox:
 • Firegrate area		66.9 sq ft (6.22 m2)
Boiler pressure260 lbf/in2 (1.79 MPa)
Feedwater heaterCoffin
Heating surface4,814 sq ft (447.2 m2)
 • Tubes and flues3,848 sq ft (357.5 m2)
 • Firebox320 sq ft (30 m2)
Superheater:
​
 • Heating area966 sq ft (89.7 m2)
CylindersTwo
Cylinder size23 in × 28 in (584 mm × 711 mm)
Valve gearWalschaerts
Valve typePiston valves
Performance figures
Tractive effort40,918 lbf (182 kN)
Factor of adh.5.12
Career
OperatorsBoston and Maine Railroad (1934–1958)
ClassP-4a
Numbers
  • B&M 3713
Official nameThe Constitution
LocaleNew England
DeliveredDecember 1934
Retired1958 (revenue service)
Restored1998–ongoing
Current ownerSteamtown National Historic Site
DispositionUndergoing restoration to operating condition, based at the Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton, Pennsylvania

History

Design

No. 3713 was one of five "P-4a" class heavy 4-6-2 "Pacifics" (Nos. 3710-3714) ordered by the Boston and Maine (B&M) in December 1934 at the Lima Locomotive Works (LLW) in Lima, Ohio.[1] These locomotives were originally built with smoke deflectors, a single air compressor mounted on their pilot deck, and a metal sky-lining shroud covering up the top of their boiler thus giving them a semi-streamlined appearance.[1] In 1936, B&M ordered the final batch of five Pacifics (Nos. 3715-3719) which were delivered in March 1937.[1] These were the last Pacifics built by Lima to date.[1] Slightly classified as P-4b, they were delivered with smoke deflectors, but without the sky-lining shroud.[2]

Designed with 80" drivers, a large firebox, and massive boiler, P-4 Heavy Pacifics would easily cruise at a speed of 70 miles per hour, carrying enough coal to pull a 14-car train for about 250 miles, and enough water to last about 125 miles.[1][2] Due to wartime conditions with World War II, P-4s were all de-shrouded along with their smoke deflectors removed for easier maintenance.[1] Around 1944 or 1945, a second air compressor was added on all of the locomotives' pilot deck.[1]

Namings

B&M sponsored the New England students a contest to name all five P-4a and five other P-4b after their schools.[1] On December 11, 1937, No. 3713 was officially named The Constitution by J. Schumann Moore, a 14-year-old student from Eastern High School in Lynn, Massachusetts.[1] Between 1940 and 1941, other winning names were selected to P-4a Pacifics No. 3710 as Peter Cooper, No. 3711 as Allagash, No. 3712 as East Wind, and No. 3714 as Greylock.[1] While the P-4b Pacifics Nos. 3715 to 3719 were also named Kwasind, Rogers’ Rangers, Old North Bridge, Ye Salem Witch, and Camel’s Hump, respectively.[1] Each locomotives all have a plaque representing the students' name and their respective educated school.[2]

References
  1. "The History of B&M #3713". Project3713. Archived from the original on January 28, 2019. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
  2. "B&M P4 Pacific". K&L Trainz. Retrieved February 14, 2019.

Further reading
  • Frye, Harry A. (1982). Minuteman Steam: Boston & Maine Steam Locomotives, 1911-1958 (1st ed.). Boston and Maine Railroad Historical Society. ISBN 978-0916578053.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Livesey, Dennis (2016). Smoke Over Steamtown (1st ed.). Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 978-0764351273.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)


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